countdown: 9 days

Africa. The anticipation for this trip began all the way back in January of this year. From being interviewed and accepted to the program, to working to gain the support of my parents, to striving to raise the money, Africa has never been far from my thoughts. I have talked about this trip to everyone it seems. Yet whenever I talked about it, my departure and September seemed so far away. There were so many other things that required my attention: graduating, vet school applications, my swim lesson company closing down - and so although I would talk about Africa, and prep for my trip by getting vaccinations and medications, never did it so clearly become a reality until this moment. The excitement is building as well as a small knot of nervousness at the prospect of leaving all that is comfortable and familiar. Now it is time to plunge into the unknown being hardly proficient in Swahili. The crash course that we receive at the two-week orientation will help, for sure, however, it will definitely be interesting trying to get around. What I really need to do is get over my pride and put myself out there. Even if I look like an idiot at first, I feel this is really the best way to improve. By practicing and by messing up.

Anyway. 9 days. Such a short time to get everything done. Looking at that number in front of me is causing a few butterflies to appear in my stomach. The prospect of having everything settled in that short period of time is intimidating. Furthermore, while in-country, I will have to fill out two supplementary applications for Michigan State and Ohio State (granted I pass the first common application cut) and register for classes at UC Davis for Winter Qtr. The plan was of course, to have everything completed, but Michigan and Ohio want to screen their applicants first. And Michigan wants theirs back in 5 days of me receiving it. Oh well, I will deal with that when I reach it.

More updates as I begin to get my life into order. I just moved out my apartment in LA, so now I have to sort through all of the boxes to re-pack my clothes for Africa.